Last fall, Dr. Travis Stork of The Doctors joined Bicycling in Tanzania for our BikeTown Africa project. Now in its fifth year, BikeTown Africa—a partnership of Bicycling, BMS’s Secure the Future Foundation, Kona Bicycles, UTi and the Rodale Institute—has delivered more than 2,200 bicycles to groups fighting HIV/AIDS in seven Sub-Saharan African countries. Each handover begins with BikeTown Africa volunteers teaching recipients how to assemble the bikes. Here, Travis demonstrates how to tighten seat bolts.

Kona’s Africabike was specifically designed for BikeTown Africa. It has a step-through frame, since many women wear long skirts, and high quality components so it’s a long-lasting machine even on dusty terrain.

BikeTown Africa partners with Bristol-Myers Squibb's Secure the Future Foundation to identify projects and people who can use the bicycles to increase the capacity of healthcare workers, and better the lives of those living with HIV.

The HIV infection rate in Tanzania is around 10 percent (some Sub-Saharan African countries have rates closer to 30 percent). The key to keeping the rate low is education, awareness and battling the stigma of HIV testing. In this village near Kibaha, Travis Stork talks to a woman getting an HIV test from a traveling doctor who visits monthly.

One recipient group, known as “the grannies,” is a network of women caring for their grandchildren, who have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases. Some grannies expressed interest in riding themselves, while others planned to have their grandsons use the bikes for errands.

Nothing can beat the smiles on the recipients' faces as they ride off on their brand new Kona Africabikes. BikeTown Africa relies on the generosity of its partners and individual donations. To contribute, please visit rodaleinstitute.org/biketownafrica.